Christian Pulisic Shines, Scores Perfect Hat Trick as Chelsea Beats Burnley
Paul Currie/BPI/Shutterstock
It's been coming, that's for sure.
Christian Pulisic, who has been working hard in order to get more minutes under Frank Lampard, was given the start on Saturday and took his chance by scoring a perfect hat trick (left foot, right foot, header) as Chelsea won 4-2 against Burnley. According to OptaJoe, he became the youngest player to score a hat trick for the club. It was also his first career treble.
The first was a fantastic run and finish as the 21-year-old ran down the left, being chased by three Burnley players as he made his way inside the box. But with precision and timing, Pulisic took a low shot that passed Nick Pope's goal to make it 1-0 in the 21st minute.
Burnley looked to come back after the goal, adding more pressure against the visitors but Chelsea stayed composed and provided an equal amount of pressure, with Pulisic looking lively every time he touched the ball. The second was just as good, and this time he went with his right foot, making it 2-0 right before the break.
Pulisic's day was not done and in the 65th minute, Mason Mount crossed the ball from the left wing and Pulisic headed in his third, thus completing his perfect hat trick.
Chelsea fans chanted "USA! USA!" and shortly after Willian made it 4-0 thanks to a great finish.
The home side did provide a late comeback and gave its fans something to cheer about as two quick goals made it 4-2 in the final moments of the game. Burnley's first goal was a stunner from Jay Rodriguez while Dwight McNeil scored a second in the 89th minute. But in the end, Chelsea came out victorious and earned its fourth straight league win and seventh overall in all competitions.
And for Pulisic, it was most definitely a day to remember.
"I can't believe it, the goals were amazing today. It was a really good team performance, I just wish in the end we could have kept a clean sheet," he said post-game. "I came to the team and I wanted to make an impact, and it's not going to happen right away so I had to prove myself and continue to work and I'm happy I could go out and help the team today."
Lampard, who has been patient in terms of introducing him to the starting lineup, was also very happy for his player.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him. There’s been a lot of talk around Christian because of the big price tag, the fact he’s a star in his country and captain of the USA national team," said the former Chelsea midfielder, speaking to the club's official website. "He fully deserved his start today and it was a fantastic match-winning performance.”
“There are obviously things that he has to learn and improve because he’s just turned 21 and it’s the same as all the other young players, but he knows that and he knows I’m driving that daily in training.”
